Iran has achieved a grim milestone in digital history, now holding the world record for the longest internet shutdown ever imposed on an entire nation. As of Sunday, April 5, 2026, the Iranian population has endured 37 consecutive days without standard internet access, surpassing the previous record set by Sudan in 2019.
A Historic Digital Blackout
The ongoing restriction was initially implemented on February 28 by the Iranian government in response to geopolitical conflicts involving the United States and Israel. According to data from Netblocks, a leading organization monitoring global internet connectivity, the country's access has been throttled to merely one percent of ordinary levels. This total disconnection has eclipsed the prior record of 36 days held by Sudan, which occurred during civil unrest in mid-2019.
Economic and Industrial Impact
The consequences for Iran's technology landscape have been severe. The IT sector is reportedly suffering significant setbacks, while online retail has ground to a near halt. Reports indicate that hundreds of thousands of companies have been affected by the inability to conduct standard digital business. The population is currently restricted to a limited national network, effectively cutting off access to international services and social media platforms such as Instagram.
Restrictions and Exceptions
Prior to the Persian New Year, the regime confirmed that limited exceptions were made for loyalists to facilitate state propaganda. However, these privileges were largely revoked as the holiday approached, tightening the blackout even further. This current event marks the second major disruption in recent months, following a previous shutdown in January linked to mass protests in Tehran.
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